The Blue Heart Campaign - raising awareness of youth suicide

The Blue Heart Campaign

I am so grateful to Youth InSearch for reaching out to me to join the Blue Heart Campaign. The Blue Heart Campaign was created to draw awareness around youth suicide.

Like many people, I have known people, friends, who have committed suicide. Young people who I had no idea were feeling so utterly helpless. It broke my heart at the time to think of what I could have done to maybe help those people feel less alone, less hurt, less desperate.

According to Relationships Australia, “Research also shows that for young people, for every one suicide there are approximately 100 to 200 suicide attempts.​”

I also know too many people who are depressed, anxious, wrecked by eternal pressures that have crept inside. And some of them, don’t even know that I see it. They are tying to hard to be “okay”.

While depression and mental health is becoming more discussed and many role models are stepping forward and speaking of their own issues I think it’s still too removed from the people actually experiencing it. Real people. With real issues. Real people who don’t have the strength to go to school, university or work. People who feel like its hard to breathe, hard to wake up, hard to shake that heavy weight that is trying to consume them.

And is it getting worse? Or was it just not talked about previously because I feel like I am hearing and reading far more than I ever did. This may came down to social media and the availability of information. Or maybe it is on the increase. I can’t help but think that social media does have a role to play.

If you follow AllThingsMomSydney you’ll know that I have been running a series on Cyberbullying. This post deals specifically with the Blue Heart Campaign.

If you would like to know more about Cyberbullying – what it is, teen depression or how to address and respond to Cyberbullying, I urge you to read those posts.

Now for the Youth Insearch Blue Heart Campaign. Before we do, I just want to thank Youth Insearch for reaching out to me, I am so proud to be associated with you and this Campaign!


InSearch’s Blue Heart Campaign

Youth suicide is the biggest killer of young Australians aged between 15 and 24. 

The purpose of the Blue Heart Campaign is to get young Aussies talking. Talking to their families, friends, schools and at work. Wherever they are. To just start talking more.

We need to spread hope, one heart at a time.

What are the causes of Youth Suicide

According to the Blackdog Institute in Australia, factors that may contribute to suicide include:
  • stressful life events
  • trauma
  • mental illness
  • physical illness
  • drug or alcohol abuse
  • poor living circumstances
The Blue Heart Campaign from Youth Insearch is getting us to talk about youth suicide.

What to look out for

This is such a complex issue.

Just as there are a number of factors which may lead to suicide, there are also a number of signs that may or may not present in any given situation. Some of these may be subtle or there may be outright verbal warnings that a person is considering suicide.

Beyond Blue has found that the following are common warning signs:

  • Prior suicidal behaviour
  • Alcohol or drug misuse
  • Withdrawal from family and friends
  • Quitting activities which were previously important
  • Putting affairs in order
  • Writing suicide notes or goodbye letters to loved ones
  • Self-harming 
  • Uncharacteristic risk-taking or recklessness
  • Fighting and/or breaking the law
  • Unexplained crying
  • Emotional outbursts, mood swings
  • Increased irritability
The Blue Heart Campaign from Youth Insearch is getting us to talk about youth suicide.

So what can we do?

  • Start by having a conversation with your friends, parents, and people in your community about youth suicide.
  • Check in with the people around you.
  • If you or your child, or someone you know is in a bad space mentally or emotionally, please reach out to Youth Insearch. It is a FREE call – 1800 805 635.  

Common issues that young Aussies struggle with

Youth Insearch is not just about the Blue Heart Campaign. It has found that there in its programmes the following things are being experienced and discussed:
  • Problems at Home
  • Neglect
  • Homelessness
  • Domestic Violence
  • Drug & Alcohol Abuse & Addiction
  • Sexual, Physical & Emotional Abuse
  • Grief & Loss
  • Self-Harm & Suicidal Ideation
  • Bullying
  • Sexuality
  • Low Self-Esteem

Sometimes problems are manifested in other forms or appear in other ways, such as:

  • Trust & confidence issues,
  • Parent & Adolescent Relationship Issues

The Blue Heart Campaign from Youth Insearch is getting us to talk about youth suicide.

What does Youth InSearch do?

The Blue Heart campaign is the brain child of Youth Insearch.

Youth Insearch brings the youth together. Through a program devised by young people, Youth Insearch has groups meeting together to talk. To discuss what they are experiencing and feeling.

Youth Insearch seeks to reduce the incidence of crime, violence, drug and alcohol abuse, self-harm suicide and bullying in young people. It is the only Australian organisation dedicated to helping young people face trauma through peer group support, where young people help one another.

Youth Insearch works with at-risk youth between ages 14 to 20 and aims to empower young people to take control of their lives, by giving them the opportunity and skills to develop their self-esteem and play a positive role in society.

Youth Insearch currently assists around 1,000 young people per year across New South Wales, Victoria and Queensland.

If you’re a teenager OR a parent needing help, please go through to Youth Insearch’s website and reach out to them!! It’s a FREE call to 1800 805 635.